The Kingbird is in
the family of Flycatcher. Rumor has it that while
amongst the quick sunsets, hobnobbing with Parrots and
enjoying a cocktail with the Palm Trees, while the rest
of us endure winter, a Kingbird primarily eats fruit. I
don't know how true this rumor is, but I'm beginning to
believe it. Phoebes, also in the family of Flycatcher,
have been nesting since almost March, and they only
pretend to fly south. It's possible that through the
winter when insects are scarce Phoebes also eat fruits,
seeds and berries.

There's no
doubt when you see a Phoebe snatch a Cabbage White
Butterfly from the grasp of a Kingbird that the Kingbird
could be out of practice in the finer arts of ridding
the wild cabbages, in abundance this year, of a primary
pest. Mind you The Phoebe has nestlings to feed, the
Kingbird is still far too interested in looking splendid
to have yet engaged in the nightmare business of
nesting. The other thing about Phoebes is the quality of
their sneakiness. Don't be fooled by their name, or
their "pity me" call, they are high end scoundrels and
there's nothing cute about them.